Metallic culvert



April 22, 1930. J. B. CHAMBERS 1,755,594

I METALLIC CULVERT Filed MaPGh 2, 1927 :l5-'15-25- ,F11-:1-4L

INVENTOR J'ac/r B. Chambers Patented Apr. 22, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT orifice y JACK B. CHAMBERS, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNOE TO CALIFORNIA CORRUGATED CULVERT COMPANY, 0F WEST BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION 0F CALI- FOB-N IA Application filed, March 2,

This invention relates generally to methods and means for reinforcing the ends of metallic culverts. It has special application to metallic culverts ofthe Vcorrugated type, althoughcertain features o-f this invention are broadly applicable to a lvariety of metallic structures which are cylindrical in shape, such as drain pipes7 water conveyors and the like.

Metallic culverts such as are used for drainage of water under railroads or highways must be capable of withstanding severe loads,k and in addition must be constructed so as to prevent deterioration. Culverts of this type have been previously constructed of sheet metal such as galvanized iron, which isvcoi'-v rugated circumferentially and reinforcedA at the ends by metallic rods. These rods have been generally attached to the ends of the culverts by rolling them into the end corrugations, or in some instances a metal band has been secured to the end of the culvert by vmeans of rivets or other suchfastening devices. Thel chief difficulty with the first method has beeny that suitable forming machines must be designed and constructed to bend thefends of the sheet metal about the reinforcing rod. This bending is especially detrimental to the sheet where galvanizing is employed, particularlywhere the culvert is relatively small in diameter since the sharp bending breaks and chips off the galvanizing. In addition to requiring special forming machines this method also requires special dies for notching the ends of the corrugated sheets before they are rolled upon the rods. Riveting the reinforcing bands to the culvert is also an expensive manufacturing method as it necessitates the use of special machinery for punching the culvert sheet and the reinforcing bands. Furthermore this method does not give uniform reinforcing of the culvert since the band is only secured at spaced points.

It is an object of thisinvention to devise a reinforced metallic culvert which may be manufactured cheaply and with a minimum of machinery.

It is a further object of this invention to devise an end reinforcement for a galvanized I METALLIC CULVERT 1927. Serial No. 171,991. s

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view showing the end of a metallic culvert incorporating vthe principles of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modified form of reinforcement.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing' a Areinforcement combined with `a bell shaped orifice. Y

Fig. 4 is a view showing a modification 'of thc structure shown in Fig. 3.

he invention as disclosed in the drawing includes a sheet metal culvert 1() which is cylindrical in shape and is provided with a series of circumferential corrugations 11. The end corrugation 12 has inner and outer curved peripheral surfaces 13 and 14, and seated against the inner peripheral surface there is a metallic rod or band 16. This metal band 16 has an outer peripheral surface 17 which is shaped so as to conform generally to the contour ofthe corrugations and isseated against the inner peripheral surface 13 of corrugation 12. The rod 16 is prefs erably a continuous band which is circular in shape, and may be manufactured of a rod bent to form a circle of the required diameter and having its ends welded together.

In constructing a reinforcement of thekind described above, the reinforcing rod 16 is first formed of the correct diameter. The edge of the corrugation v12 is then expanded by suitable machinery to permit insertionof rod 16, after which the corrugation 12 is then clinched down around the ro'd to approximately its original form. The slight amount of bending of the sheet metal required by fil in.Fig. :In this case the reinforcing. rodv 216 has an inner peripheral surface 217 which is curved to correspond generally to contour of the culvert corrugations. In the manufacture of the reinforcement of this kind the end corrugation is first contracted and .the reinforcing rod slipped over the end thereof, after which the end corrugation is then expand ed to fit snugly against they peripheral surface 217. l

In Fig. 3 I have shown a reinforcing rod similar to that shown in FigQ which Ais combined with a transition member for increasing the capacity of theculvert. Thus formed integral with the reinforcing rod 316 there is a bell, mouthed member` QOQWhich extends beyondthe end of the culvert. ,In this case the inner peripheral surface of reinforcing rod 316 engages the outer peripheral surface of the end corrugation. yHowever VtheV outer peripheral surface of the rod mayv also engage the end corrugation similar to the construeN tion shown in Fig. l. lA combined rein force`V nient and transition member of this kind is shown in Fig. l in which memberl isfoimed integral with the reinforcing rod 416. The bell mouthed members 2O and 2l are seamless and serve as additional reinforcementa and to aid iioW of Water into and out of the culvert unit. These members `may beforrned integral Withthe rod or Welded thereto. K

In Yitspreferred form the lreinforcing rod is retained upon tthe last corrugation by abutting contacts only. `This construction is desirable not only because of its extreme simplicity, but because it is better able to resist rust and corrosion.

It Will be obvious that the culvert which I have provided may be readily manufactured i with -simple machinery. ASharp bending of the sheet metal is avoided so that the galvaniZing is not injured and the ends ofthe culvert I cla-im l. Asheet metal culvert unit ofthe corruy gated type having` an endless reinforcing metal bar interfitting an end corrugation only, one peripheral ,surface of the bar corresponding generally tothe contour-'of the culvert corrugations.

2. A unitary article of manufacture coinprising a sheet met-al culvert of the corrugated type having an endless reinforcing bar ou an end corrugation only ofeach end of the same, said bar having a peripheral surface corresponding generally to the corruga'tions of theculvert.

3. A unitary article of manufacture comprising a metal culvert having circumferential corrugations7 and an endless metal reinforcing bar having a peripheral surface abutting the peripheral surface of an end corrugation only. A

f4. A unitary article of manufacture coniprising a metal culvert having circumferential corrugations, and an endless metal reinforcing bar having a peripheral surface interfitting and abutting the'pcripheral surface of onlyv an end corrugation.' said bar being retained uponthe culvert by abutting contacts only.

5. A unitary article Aof manufacture comprising a metal culvert havingY circumferential corrugations, an -end corrugation corresponding generally to the other corrugations of the culvert, and an endless metal reinforcing band having a peripheral surface engaging only one periphery of said end corrugation, said band being retained in position by abutting contacts only. v i

6. A unitary article of manufacture comprising a sheet metal culvert having circumferential reinforcingl corrugations,` a seamless metal band having a curved peripheral surface interittingone/of theY lendA corrugations, said end corrugation ybeing formed to fit said band but having` substantially the same form as the otherncorrugations of vthe culvert, and an integralbelhshaped` member extending from one edge of said band, said memberbeing of seamless construction.

In testimonywhereof,` Iliave hereunto set my hand.

JACK i B. Y CHAMBERS. 

